HARROGATE, England -- Marcel Kittel of Germany won the first stage of the Tour de France for a second straight year after a late crash brought down British rival Mark Cavendish in the presence of royals on Saturday. Kittel, who earned four Tour stages last year, won the 190.5-kilometre (118-mile) run in mainly bucolic Yorkshire countryside from Leeds to Harrogate. The German raised his arms skyward and cried after he edged Peter Sagan of Slovakia in second, and Ramunas Navardauskas of Lithuania in third. "I am incredibly proud of this victory," Kittel, a Team Giant-Shimano rider who also won two Giro dItalia stages in May, said through a translator. "It happened pretty easily. It was like coming out of a tunnel. I was able to accelerate like never before. "Its really awesome. Deja vu, yeah." Christian Meier of Langley, B.C., was the top Canadian, finishing 141st in 4:44:07, while Svein Tuft, also from Langley, placed 163rd in the same peloton. The two favourites for victory in the three-week race, Alberto Contador and Chris Froome, finished safely in the trailing pack that clocked the same time as Kittel. With fewer than 400 metres to go, and the speedsters rushing ahead, Cavendish veered slightly to his left, tilted his head and bumped into Australias Simon Gerrans. The two crashed alone, with Cavendish landing hard on his right shoulder. Cavendish got up gingerly and cruised over the finish line -- cradling his right arm. X-rays revealed he separated his right shoulder, a Tour statement said. Omega Pharma QuickStep said in a separate statement that a decision about whether he will continue the race will be made on Sunday morning. "Im gutted about the crash today," Cavendish said in the statement. "It was my fault. Ill personally apologize to Simon Gerrans as soon as I get the chance. In reality, I tried to find a gap that wasnt really there. I wanted to win today." Many British fans were hoping for a win by Cavendish, a native of the Isle of Man, whose mother is from Harrogate. Prime Minister David Cameron, Princes William and Harry, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, were on hand among throngs of British fans who lined the route -- a testament to the cycling craze in the U.K. England hosts the first three stages of this 101st Tour before riders enter France on Tuesday. In all, the 198 riders are to cover 3,664 kilometres (2,277 miles) of road before the July 27 finish in Paris. Stage 2 on Sunday covers 201 kilometres from York to Sheffield, in southern Yorkshire. Cavendish previously said that winning the first Tour stage was his main goal this year. He was hoping to capture his first yellow jersey and his 26th Tour stage win. "Its sad because he (Cavendish) was racing in front of the home country," Sagan said. Added Kittel: "I hope he gets well soon. Im looking forward to seeing him on the race tomorrow ... its not nice to have Mark crash. Nobody wants that." A second German excelled on the English roads: Veteran Jens Voigt took the polka-dot jersey as the races best climber, after getting out early on a three-man breakaway that first cleared three low-grade hills including Buttertubs pass. At 42, the Trek Factory Racing rider is the oldest competitor this year: This is his 17th Tour, equaling the record. The nervous first day included more mishaps. Untold tens of thousands of fans turned out in such big numbers that a train service shuttle between the start and finish towns was crammed, and some had to wait for 90 minutes or even longer to get aboard -- or gave up altogether. Yorkshire, the largest county in England, has paid richly for the right to host the Tour. The peloton sped by abbeys in ruins and sights like 14th century Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, before finishing in Harrogate, known for its spas. Nearly three dozen countries are represented at this Tour, led by France with 44 riders. Its the second time cyclings greatest race has begun in Britain, though the Tour also crossed the English Channel for stages in 1974 and 1994. . -- Catriona Matthew remained atop the Airbus LPGA Classic leaderboard Friday, birdieing four of the last seven holes to take a one-stroke advantage over Charley Hull into the weekend. . As they are wont to do, the Spurs made things real easy. The Spurs signed Parker to a multi-year contract extension on Friday, ensuring that the six-time All-Star point guard will be in the fold whether Duncan and Ginobili are able to continue their careers or not.
http://www.cheapflyersjerseysauthentic. ... yon-jersey. LOUIS -- David Ross never expected to be on a World Series podium. . American Lindsey Jacobellis was third, while Japans Yuka Fujimori finished just off the podium. Maltais, from Petite-Riviere-St-Francois, Que., earned bronze at the 2006 Olympic Games and is set to return to the Games this February in Sochi, Russia. . -- Theres been so much talk about Mike Moustakas at the plate that the third baseman ignored the conversation Wednesday -- even after doing something positive.Having to wear white socks, looking up to Cristiano Ronaldo and getting bamboozled by Game of Thrones. Just some of the key subjects that fascinate one of Irelands superstars of the track - Mark English.On Thursday you can find out even more about the 800m star in Sky Academys latest documentary on the Sports Scholars.WATCH: I am Mark English (originally aired on Sky Sports, now available On Demand via sky Go)The 23-year-old is one of 11 Sky Academy Sports Scholars and is all set for his Olympic debut this summer and hes answered a few personal questions.1. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YOURSELF YOU DIDNT AT THE START OF THE SEASON?That my form can change in a day. Nothing is guaranteed in this sport and it is both cruel and beautiful in equal measures. Mark is a big fan of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo 2. SUM UP THE STATE OF YOUR HEAD AND BODY FOR RIOExcited to take on the worlds best! 3. WHATS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR?The best thing to happen was to be selected for my first Olympic Games. I missed London by 0.17s so it was a huge relief to run the qualifying standard at the London Anniversary Games last year. 4. IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE?A wild charizard5. WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?Probably one of the European distance runners throughout the 80s. Mark is keen on seeing Bono and U2 in action 6. WHICH OTHER SPORT STARS DO YOU ADMIRE?Robbie Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Padraig Harrington, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Jessica Ennis-Hill.7. DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT UNUSUAL THINGS WHEN YOU RUN?Yes, like why did Bran have to go into his dream in Game of Thrones and get Hodor killed.8. IF YOU WERENT AN ATHLETE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Hard to know really. I liked football growing up so I mightve pursued that. 9. ANY MOTTOS OR PHRASES THAT MOTIVATE YOU?Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. - Albert Einstein110.dddddddddddd. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?Cooking the onions for dinner the other day. Mark has learned from the best with mentor Darren Campbell providing sound advice 11. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?A good sketch. And pretty much most Tommy Tiernan and Dara OBriain shows. 12. WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?Doping in sport.13. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDSCompetitive, determined and lively.14. ANY SUPERSTITIONS?Having to wear white socks when racing. Making sure my spikes are a tight, snug fit. 15. WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU INTO?Most. Would love to attend a U2 or Coldplay concert. In other words, if anyone is thinking of presents to buy me, you know Ill forever put you on my list of friends. 16. WHAT TV SHOWS ARE YOU INTO?Game of Thrones and Narcos. 17. HOW DO YOU RELAX OFF THE TRACK?Spend time with friends visiting places, hiking, swimming and going to the movies. Mark English recently returned to the track after a three-month injury 18. WHAT THREE PEOPLE WOULD YOU INVITE TO DINNER?Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Tommy Tiernan. 19. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACHIEVING?Egg and spoon race champion in 1998 in my primary school of Woodland National School, Letterkenny. 20. AMBITIONS FOR NEXT FIVE YEARS?To continue being happy and to continue doing what I love. 21. WHATS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A SKY SCHOLAR?Learning from the best. Ive been lucky enough to talk with Olympic gold medalists in Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Darren Campbell. Thats a fantastic privilege.And the head of the Sky Scholars Academy Tony Lester has always been able to provide sound advice, especially around championships.WATCH: I am Mark English (originally aired on Sky Sports, now available On Demand via sky Go) Also See: About the Scholarship Meet the athletes Blogs Videos ' ' '
